Geauga Park District’s 30th annual Nature Arts Festival at Big Creek Park in Chardon kicks off from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Aug. 8.
Geauga Park District’s 30th annual Nature Arts Festival at Big Creek Park in Chardon kicks off from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Aug. 8.
Held in conjunction with the Chardon Arts Festival, this show has become a popular tradition with art lovers in Northeast Ohio.
“I am excited to bring back this event after having missed it last year (due to COVID-19),” GPD Special Events Coordinator Teresa Runion said in a recent interview. “There are many new artists participating this year, as well as returning favorites. I hope everyone will join us to enjoy artwork inspired by nature showcased at beautiful Big Creek Park.”
All artwork on display and for sale is nature or wildlife themed, or made of natural materials, and encompasses a wide range of media, including paintings, photography, jewelry, glass and more, according to the park district.
In addition to the exhibiting artists, there will be dozens of farm artisan vendors selling locally-produced and handmade items such as market bags, maple syrup, honey, dried flowers, bath and beauty products and pet treats, Runion said.
The event will feature several food vendors and live music by Victor Samalot (10 a.m. -noon), Astrocats (12:30-2:30 p.m.), and Sev & Starr (3-5 p.m.), Runion said, adding there will be a poetry reading at 3 p.m. of winning pieces from the Annual Nature Writing Contest at Deep Woods Lodge.
Free workshops by A Kid at Art (painted butterfly decor) and Fairmount Center for the Arts (watercolor painting) will be offered all day, as well as face painting and balloon art, Runion said.
Featured local artists include Robert Kolcum, Cyndi Konopka, Daneal Hansel and Marc Yanco.
Kolcum
For more than 25 years, Kolcum, a longtime Hambden Township resident and owner of The Maple Palette, has been doing the Tappin Sunday sap bucket, which is auctioned off the last day of the Geauga County Maple Festival.
Some of his artwork has been for The National Wildlife Federation, the City of Chardon and Thompson townships logos. He also did the 2012 Chardon Bicentennial limited print and logo.
“The Nature Arts Festival is a great festival for people to attend,” Kolcum said. “It gives everyone the opportunity to enjoy artwork outside in a beautiful park setting and the Meyers Center itself.”
Kolcum will have paintings in acrylic, watercolor, pen and ink, sap buckets, saws and glass Christmas ornaments, bud vases, painted garden rocks, in addition to Chardon Square Christmas cards, Geauga County landmarks and Geauga County Park building stationary.
Konopka
Konopka, of Chardon, has been working as a professional artist and photographer in the Northeast Ohio area for the past 40 years.
“My art career has encompassed many mediums, including photography, video, graphic design, jewelry, sculpture, up cycling, recycling, sewing, ceramics, painted rain barrels and most recently, epoxy resin and hypertufa,” Konopka said.
She has taught at many locations around the North Coast, including the park district, sharing her vision and talent with curious students of all ages.
“Being outdoors in the heart of nature is really what it’s all about,” she said. “I encourage everyone to get out in the fresh air and discover what amazing creative artists will be at the show.”
Konopka will have her up-cycled bird feeders and other yard art and trinkets for sale.
“Stop by and say hello,” she said.
Hansel
Hansel, owner of Kaleidoscope Artisans Guild in Burton Village, a gallery and gift shop open year round, is also featuring the work of several other local artists.
“Originally working with blown glass, I now focus on creating beads and small sculptures using molten glass heated with a torch, as well as stained glass and fused glass created in the kiln,” Hansel said. “Inspiration for my designs always stems from our local flora and fauna and the beautiful design elements naturally occurring in nature, which is why I look forward to Geauga Park District’s Nature Arts Festival. The show is full of wonderfully unique handcrafted items you won’t want to miss.”
Yanco
Chardon’s Marc Yanco has been doing blacksmithing for more than 40 years.
He is a member of artist blacksmiths of North America and Western Reserve Artist Blacksmith Association.
Yanco has been associated with the nature art show in Geauga County for more than 10 years, and has been one of the few participating demonstrators at the show.
“I only participate in two or three shows a year and this is one I never like to miss,” he said. “The show is very well organized and I’ve come to know the park personnel over the years and really enjoy working together with them. The show also gives me the opportunity to expose people to the forging process, which they may not otherwise have the opportunity, and to interface with the public, which I don’t often get to do working solo in my shop.”
Overall, he views the show as a great community event.
“It’s also nice because it’s a safe pandemic setting in these crazy times,” Kolcum said. “Geauga County has a great park system and this is an opportunity to enjoy it. You can even get a ride on Lolly the Trolley through town from Chardon Square to Big Creek Park. There are food trucks along with live music, a great day to be had and to get some early shopping done. There is artwork from a few dollars and up. Plenty to please everyone while looking at nature and beautiful artwork.”
